Mount Mansfield

From the Stowe side, the summit ridge of Mansfield resembles the profile of a face lying on its back, and early observers named its features accordingly. The Chin is the true high point of the mountain and of the entire state; the Nose, a bit lower along the ridge, is a distinct knob now topped with communication towers.

Walking the ridge between these points is one of the classic experiences on the mountain, a route with open views on both sides high above the surrounding country.

The mountain's shape and prominence have made it a landmark for centuries, visible across much of northern Vermont.

The summit of Mansfield holds one of Vermont's few patches of alpine tundra, a community of low, hardy, arctic and subarctic plants that survive on the wind-blasted, thin-soiled high ground. These plants are relics of a colder age and grow nowhere else in the state except a couple of other high peaks.

This tundra is extraordinarily fragile. The plants grow slowly and can be killed by a single careless footstep, so visitors are asked to walk only on bare rock and stay off the vegetation entirely. Volunteer summit stewards are often present to help hikers protect it.

Preserving this tiny alpine zone is one of the main conservation concerns on the mountain, which is why the rules about where to step are taken so seriously.

Vermont's Long Trail, the country's oldest long-distance hiking trail, runs right over the summit ridge, and several steep trails climb the mountain from different sides for those who want to earn the top on foot.

For those who prefer, a toll auto road climbs toward the Nose, and a gondola on the Stowe side lifts visitors high on the mountain, both seasonal. These make the high country accessible to people who cannot make the demanding hike.

However you arrive, the summit gives sweeping views that on clear days reach across Vermont to New York's Adirondacks, New Hampshire's White Mountains, and toward Canada.

Summer is the main season for hiking, the toll road, and the gondola, but even then the summit is cold and windy, so warm layers are essential.

Fall lays brilliant foliage across the lower slopes and offers crisp, clear air for the long summit views, a spectacular time on the mountain.

Winter turns the eastern flank into the Stowe ski area, while the exposed summit becomes a harsh, ice-bound alpine environment; winter travel up high is for the well-prepared only.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Mount Mansfield, near Stowe in northern Vermont, is the highest peak in the state, a majestic mountain crowned by a rare stretch of fragile alpine tundra and offering breathtaking panoramic views. From its summit ridge, whose profile is said to resemble a human face in profile, visitors enjoy sweeping views across Vermont, the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and, on clear days, even distant peaks and Canada. Reached by hiking trails, an auto toll road, or a gondola from the Stowe ski resort, the summit is a spectacular destination, and the mountain is a beloved hiking and skiing landmark. With its high summit and views, Mount Mansfield offers a spectacular destination in Vermont.

You can reach the summit ridge of Mount Mansfield by hiking one of several trails, by driving the seasonal auto toll road that climbs the mountain, or by riding the gondola from the Stowe Mountain Resort in the warm season, each offering access to the spectacular views. The auto road and gondola are seasonal and weather-dependent, so checking current operation before you go is wise, and reaching the very highest point still involves walking the rocky summit ridge. Choosing the option that suits you lets you enjoy the summit of Mount Mansfield in Vermont.

The summit of Mount Mansfield hosts a rare and fragile alpine tundra with rare plants, so staying strictly on marked trails and rock to avoid trampling the fragile vegetation is essential. The high summit is far colder, windier, and more exposed than the valleys, with rapidly changing weather even in summer, so bringing warm layers, checking the forecast, and being prepared are important, and hiking trails are rugged and steep. The auto road and gondola are seasonal. Respecting the fragile tundra and coming prepared for the alpine conditions ensure a safe visit to Mount Mansfield in Vermont.

The warm months of summer through early fall offer the best access for hiking, the auto road, and the gondola, with summer pleasant though the summit is cool, and fall spectacular when the Green Mountains blaze with foliage, one of the most beautiful times, while winter draws skiers to the resort. The summit is always cool and windy, so layers help. For hiking and the auto road aim for summer through early fall, with fall foliage a highlight, at Mount Mansfield in Vermont.

Mount Mansfield is near Stowe in northern Vermont, within reach of Smugglers Notch, the Stowe Recreation Path, the Trapp Family Lodge, Moss Glen Falls, and the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury. That makes Mount Mansfield a spectacular stop to combine with Smugglers Notch, the Stowe Recreation Path, and the other attractions of the Stowe area on a visit to Vermont.